NILES SCORES EARLY, BLANKS QUAKERS TO ADVANCE

NILES, OH- Score early on offense, limit opportunities on defense, and throw strikes. It’s that easy, right? On Wednesday, Niles McKinley stuck to that blueprint and advanced past the red-hot Quakers who rattled off 6 straight victories prior to the Sectional Finals. Salem fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a 4-0 loss to McKinley on Wednesday. McKinley scored on a single by Gallo, a single by Mays, and a fielder’s choice by Sudzina in the first inning.

In the first inning, McKinley got their offense started when Gallo singled on the first pitch of the at-bat, scoring one run.

A single by Blaize Exline in the second inning was a positive for Salem, and one of only two hits for the Quakers on the evening. Both belonged to Exline.

Weida led the McKinley to victory on the pitcher’s mound. He surrendered zero runs on two hits over seven innings, striking out four.

Adam Wilson took the loss for Salem. He allowed ten hits and four runs over six innings, striking out three and walking one.